In a letter to legislative leaders, House Republican Leader Larry Cafero issues a formal request for a public hearing on the Capitol's flag-flying policy.
State Capitol police have denied requests to fly both the Gadsden flag and the Flag of the Society of Cincinnati at the Capitol, citing a flag policy that permits only flags from the U.S., its states or territories, recognized Indian tribes, nations with which the U.S. has diplomatic relations and military organizations to be hoisted in the highly visible spot.
Cafero wants the Joint Committee on Legislative Management, which is made up of Senate President Donald Williams, House Speaker Chris Donovan, Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, House Majority Leader Denise Merrill and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney to review the policy.
Legisltative leadership, which sets the policy, needs to devise rules that are "consistent and unambiguous...so that there can be no room for miscommunication with the public,'' Cafero wrote in the June 30 letter.
"I believe we must put to rest these issues as soon as possible and that a full public hearing would be helpful in guiding our decisions. Therefore, I respectfully request that the Committee schedule such a hearing at the earliest convenience and invite members of the public to address us."